Good News for International Students – You Can Work More Hours Soon

From 3 November 2025, international students in New Zealand will be allowed to work up to 25 hours a week while studying. This is an increase from the current 20-hour limit.

This change is part of the Government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan, which aims to attract more international students, support the economy, maintain high education standards, and make studying in New Zealand even better.

What Is Changing

Here’s what will happen from 3 November 2025:

• Eligible student visa holders can work up to 25 hours a week during term time instead of 20 hours.

• Students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes, including one-semester courses, will now also get work rights while studying.

• If a student changes their education provider or moves to a lower level of study (for example, from a degree to a diploma), they will usually need to apply for a new student visa rather than a variation of conditions.

• Holders of dependent child visitor visas and Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visas who currently have 20-hour work rights will also be able to increase this to 25 hours per week.

Who Will Get the New 25-Hour Limit

If a student visa is granted on or after 3 November 2025, it will automatically include the new 25-hour work condition.

If someone already has a visa that allows 20 hours a week, they will need to apply for a variation of conditions or a new visa to increase it to 25 hours.

School Students (Years 12 and 13)

School students in Years 12 and 13 will still need written permission from both their school and a parent or guardian to work during the school year. This rule stays the same under the new changes.

Full-Time Work During Holidays

Most student visas already allow full-time work during official study breaks such as summer holidays. Students who already have that condition can continue to work full-time during those breaks as before.

How to Apply for a Variation of Conditions

Students who currently have a 20-hour work limit and wish to increase it to 25 hours can apply for a variation of conditions from 3 November 2025.

• The application fee is NZD $325, payable to Immigration New Zealand.

• Applications can be made online. Which system you use depends on when the visa was issued.

 – If the visa was issued before 18 August 2025, it was under the old system.

 – If it was issued after 18 August 2025, it is under the new enhanced Immigration Online system.

If anyone is unsure which system their visa was issued in, they can contact Immigration New Zealand or speak to a licensed immigration adviser for help.

Other Important Points

If a student changes their course or lowers their qualification level, they will usually need to apply for a new student visa. A variation of conditions may only be considered in special cases such as when a provider closes unexpectedly.

Students holding dependent child visitor visas or Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visas can also apply to increase their part-time work rights from 20 to 25 hours a week.

Why This Is Good News

These changes will help students in several ways:

• More flexibility and higher earning potential.

• More opportunities to gain work experience in New Zealand.

• Better connections with employers and the local community.

It’s a positive step that supports students and strengthens New Zealand’s international education sector.

Need Help Applying for the Change?

If you would like professional help with applying for the variation of conditions to increase your work hours, our service fee is Only $97 (including GST).

We will prepare and submit your application correctly so you can start working more hours without any stress.

Contact us today to get started or to ask any questions about your student visa.

Warm regards

Ash Immigration Advisers NZ

Licensed Immigration Adviser (IAA #202400914)

📞 +64 27 334 8988

📧 info.ashimmigration@gmail.com

🌐 www.ashimmigration.co.nz